Cheap headers will always leak. Thick flanges and thick header material alleviate many of the problems, however loose exhaust AFTER the engine (like muffler, tailpipe) puts stress on the header bolts, and helps loosen them up if not proper as well. Hedman Elite's are good headers. There are other good ones, but the ball/socket design of the elites, plus thick metal, works well for headers in general. Look for other reviews of a specific brand header on your vehicle, for some reason many manufacturers (Hedman included) often have problems with their headers fitting as well as they should.
Back in the day the cycling from hot to cold would slowly loosen the bolts, but there are now special locking bolts designed just for that problem.
Use good gaskets and locking header bolts and you shouldn't have problems.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techar...
I was asking my grandpa about buying headers for my 5.3 chevy. Specifically JBA long tubes. They're about $400 but he said no because he said headers had trouble with the gaskets going out and them not being sealed after that. Although he's old... So I was wondering if headers still have that trouble and maybe some good affordable brands that are around 600 and below. I'm just gonna run em straight because it'll be cheapest. Thanks
